Best Swimming Beaches in America
Discover the best swimming beaches across America. Find sandy shores, gentle waves, and perfect spots for family beach days.
All Swimming Beaches
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4.9(619)Crescent Beach Overlook
Wooden viewing deck above the Pacific coast, with expansive sea views & whale sightings possible.
4.9(144)Moonstone Beach
Relaxed, secluded beach with rocky tide pools, a boardwalk with scenic overlooks & sunset views.
4.8(1,141)Point Dume State Beach
State beach noted for its vast, rugged coastline, recreational activities & nature preserve.
4.8(79)Little Corona Beach
Small, popular spot for scuba diving & sunset-watching, with views of Catalina Island & tide pools.
4.8(12)Ormond Beach
Wetlands front this low-key stretch of sand known for its surfing & birdwatching opportunities.
4.8(2,160)Treasure Island Park
Busy beach area offering swimming, scuba diving, tide pooling & other activities.
4.8(641)Sarasota Beach
Expanse of white sand known for beach bars & clear waters, with swimming, kayaking & surf breaks.
4.8(3,445)La Jolla Tide Pools
At low tide, this scenic, rocky beach features pools of water with sea life such as crabs & fish.
4.8(104)McClures Beach
Secluded public beach with a wide expanse of sand, rocky cliffs, tidal pools & scenic views.
4.8(6,609)Indian Rocks Beach
Small gulfside park featuring a sandy beach & swimming, plus restrooms, showers & fee parking.
4.8(326)Pescadero State Beach
This mile-long stretch of isolated beach along a road features fishing, picnicking & tide pools.
4.8(301)Goat Rock Beach
Long stretch of sandy beach with weathered boulders, active waves, seal sightings & ample parking.
4.8(140)Moonstone Beach
Rustic shoreline with sweeping views, tide pools, a boardwalk, surfing, boating & marine life.
4.8(8,186)Hermosa Beach Pier
Long-standing 1,140-foot pier featuring beach & sunset ocean views, plus public restrooms & fishing.
4.8(3,652)Clearwater Beach (Clearwater, Florida)
This famous beach lent its name to the adjoining city & offers a space for sunbathing & swimming.
4.8(26,415)Siesta Beach
Fine white quartz sand that stays cool plus a playground, tennis courts & year-round lifeguards.
4.8(3,025)Asilomar State Beach
Tranquil place featuring a 1-mi. stretch of sandy beach & rocky coves, along with a walking trail.
4.8(553)Panama City Beach
Popular city-center beach featuring a broad expanse of white sand, clear water & a fishing pier.
4.8(311)Longfellow Beach
Laid-back public beach with a long, wide expanse of sand, swings, lifeguard stands & a shower.
4.8(510)Table Rock Beach
Wooden steps lead to this quiet, sandy beach with striking cliffs & outcroppings, plus sunset views.
4.8(1,477)Carlsbad State Beach
Picturesque strip of sand known for its paved pedestrian path, volleyball nets & dolphin sightings.
4.8(2,133)Lauderdale-by-the-Sea Beach
Known as "Florida's Beach Diving Capital," Lauderdale-by-the-Sea offers three living coral reefs just 100 yards from shore — accessible without a boat. The 2.5 miles of smooth, latte-colored sandy beaches have an old-Florida charm with no high-rises, and the reefs teem with tropical fish, spiny lobsters, and moray eels at depths of 10-25 feet. History buffs can explore the wreck of the SS Copenhagen, an 1900 steamship now on the National Register of Historic Places, via the Shipwreck Snorkel Trail.
4.8(677)Windansea Park
Pacific Ocean beach with rocks & sand popular for surfing & sunset-gazing.
Trip packing checklist
Gear for Swimming Beaches
Useful gear categories for this kind of water trip. These links open Amazon search results so you can compare current options before you go.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Keeps sun exposure manageable when shade is limited.
Useful for beach trips where sunscreen reapplication is easy to forget.
Packs smaller than cotton and dries faster after swims.
Worth comparing if the beach has clear, calm water.
Tips for Visiting Swimming Beaches
Arrive early for best parking and beach spot selection
Check for lifeguard schedules and swim only in designated areas
Bring reef-safe sunscreen to protect marine life
Watch for beach flags indicating water conditions